How do you know if someone has HIV?

From The Philippines, out poz guy Billy Santo speaks out on the importance of early testing and treatment.

How do you know if someone has HIV? You don't. A lot of people who have HIV don't know that they have it. They don't have the slightest idea that they are already carrying it and still continue to engage in risky behaviors.

That is why it is important to seek early testing and treatment to diminish harmful effects the virus can cause. If it stays in the body for a long time without medication, the virus can replicate into thousands of copies and can entirely destroy the immune system. Once the immune system is compromised, the body is defenseless from a lot of opportunistic infections.

In the event that the body experiences rapid weight loss, flu-like symptoms, skin problems and rashes etc. you might be experiencing the symptoms of a type of complication triggered by HIV in a late stage.

So don't wait for symptoms to arise and appear on your skin. Because that might be an indication that it is already too late and may require serious financial damage, time and effort. So why wait if you can act now?

About the Author

I am 25 Years old and live in Quezon City in the Philippines. I was diagnosed with HIV in May 2015. I have never written about it before but want people living with HIV to share my experiences, learn how I have faced my challenges and follow a path to a long and healthy life.